Symptoms of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is a condition that happens to women, where there is absence of menstrual bleeding for over 3 months. There are two types of Amenorrhea. They are:

Primary amenorrhea where there is absence of menstrual bleeding and secondary sexual characteristics such as pubic hair and breast development in girls aged 14. This condition is also found in girls aged 16 with normal development of secondary sexual characteristics but absence of bleeding.

Secondary amenorrhea is when there is absence of menstrual bleeding in women who had been experiencing regular menstruation in the past but have not experienced any menstruation in 3 months or more.

This however, is not valid to women who are pregnant, are lactating, are experiencing menstrual cycle suppression due to birth control pills, or are experiencing menopause.

In order for a woman to have regular menstrual cycles, her pituitary gland, her hypothalamus, her uterus and ovaries should be functioning normally.

A normal menstrual cycle in a woman occurs due of changing levels of hormones created and secreted by the ovaries. The ovaries respond to signals from the pituitary gland, which is controlled by the hormones created in the hypothalamus of the brain. Any kind of disorder that interrupts or affects this cycle can lead to Amenorrhea. Even if one of these functions is affected, the whole cycle goes askew and the woman is unable to menstruate. Tumors, hormonal imbalance, recreational drug abuse and some chronic diseases such as Tuberculosis directly affect the menstrual cycle.

However, very often, an undiagnosed pregnancy could create misunderstandings in young women leading them to believe that they have amenorrhea. Other reasons for Amenorrhea may be also strenuous exercise, extreme weight loss, emotional and physical stress, and anorexia.

To counter amenorrhea, one can only take subjective measures. If you have lost a lot of weight over the past few months, try to maintain a healthy diet and try to put on a few pounds. Make sure you eat regular and well-timed meals. If you have been doing a lot of exercise, cut down on weight training. Stick to cardio and simple exercises. Try to find a distraction to emotional stress. Stress often has repercussions of high magnitude and must be managed. Alcohol and smoking must be moderated, if not stopped completely. It is essential for you to be in the best of your health to bring your menstrual cycle back to normal.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor in spite of taking the following measures.